Sports

Tri-Valley Falls Just Short of Regional Championship

In week three, the Regional Final, the Tri-Valley Scotties faced undefeated Marion Franklin Red Devils. Both teams have been working as hard as they possibly could for the same goal: a state championship. Unfortunately, only one team would continue their journey towards their dreams.

Early in the first quarter, the Red Devils showed what they were made of. Cory Benson would put the first points on the board to give the Red Devils a 6-0 lead early on. After some exciting defensive performances, the Red Devils would strike once more from an 8-yard touchdown pass from Benson to Joe Alverson. They missed the 2-point conversion again, putting them up 12-0. The Scotties stepped up their offence on their next possession and Austin Jones would take it in from six yards out. The Red Devils did not flinch by the Scotties offence, as Alverson picked up 61 yards on a slant route. He would finish with 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Two plays later, they would put score and make the two point conversion making it 20-7. The Scotties marched down the field and eventually came down to a fourth and 10 situation. Nathan Strock connects to Matt Amicone to pick up the first. Amicone had four catches for 52 yards on the night. Then on a fourth and 6, Jordan Campbell would catch an eight yard touchdown pass to make it 20-14. This was also Campbell’s first touchdown of the season! This was a big momentum booster for the Scotties, and lead to an interception by Austin Jones. Strock would take it in himself on a keeper, putting them up for the first time of the game. Strock finished the game with for 56 rushing yards and had 21 carries while throwing nine for 24 with 164 yards, a touchdown and in interception. The score would remain 20-21 at half.

After the half, both defenses stepped up big time. Neither offence could get anything going until the Scotties stopped the Red Devils on their own 28 forcing a turnover on downs. Austin Jones then takes in a 38-yard rushing touchdown. He would finish the night with an astonishing 191 yards on just 21 carries and three touchdowns. On the next possession for the Red Devils, Strock would take it to the house on a “pick 6” to increase the lead by two touchdowns. Benson puts one more in on the ground to make it a one-possession game. Benson ran for 181 yards and had four touchdowns on 32 carries. In the air, he threw 21 for 35 with 302 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

With 5:50 left in the game, the Scotties take in once more for a 28-42 lead. The Red Devils would manage to score twice to tie up the game. With two teams like this battling for the victory, overtime was needed. The Scotties received the ball first but would make a mistake early on in their drive. Strock would throw an interception and the Red Devils would score a couple plays later, ending the Scotties season just short of their dream with the final 48-42. The Scotties played well all season and will most likely be a big threat in the MVL next year. The Red Devils continue onward to the Final Four next week.